The Opening Kickoff

by Dave Revsine

  195. “. . . to this narrow committee.”: “Oligarchy of Football,” New York Daily Tribune, December 21, 1905, 10.

  196. also sent representatives: Watterson, College Football, 77–78.

  196. before agreeing to combine forces: Ibid., 81.

  196. found guilty of foul play: Ibid., 82.

  196. just one rule change—the 10-yard rule: Ibid., 101.

  196. “. . . alter the present style of the game.”: “Changes in Football Promise a Deadlock,” New York Times, January 9, 1906.

  197. “. . . will be dealt to the game.”: H. F. Manchester, “Reveals How College Football Was Saved in 1905,” Boston Herald, October 17, 1926, 7.

  197. it would be on Harvard’s terms: Ronald A. Smith, Sports and Freedom: The Rise of Big-Time College Athletics (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988), 203–05.

  197. The fund now totaled nearly $100,000: Clarence Deming, “Mr. Camp’s Financiering,” (New York) Evening Post, January 18, 1906.

  198. under the heading of “maintenance.”: Ibid.

  198. on page one the next day: “Deming after Walter Camp,” New Haven Evening Register, January 19, 1906, 1.

  198. “. . .commercialism which has brutalized” football: As quoted in “Radical Football Reform,” (New Haven) Evening Leader, January 25, 1906.

  198. “. . . expense of the associations.”: “Yale Faculty Divided,” New York Times, January 21, 1906.

  198. $8 each to support athletics: Ibid.

  198. broader issues the sport was facing: “President Hadley on Football,” Yale Daily News, January 20, 1906.

  198. “. . . overwhelming physical danger.”: Ibid.

  199. “. . . rules as we please.”: Hadley to Camp, February 2, 1906, Walter Chauncey Camp Papers, Yale University Archives, box 11, reel 9.

  199. “. . . ought to be spanked this time.”: Murphy to Curtis, January 22, 1906, Walter Chauncey Camp Papers, Yale University Archives, box 20, reel 14.

  199. resulted in a turnover: David M. Nelson, The Anatomy of a Game: Football, the Rules, and the Men Who Made the Game (Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1994), 123–25.

  199. limiting eligibility to three years total: “The Overseers Permit Football,” Harvard Graduates’ Magazine (June 1906), 694.

  200. to continue at the school: Ibid.

  200. “. . . may develop in each institution.”: Merle Curti and Vernon Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin 1848–1925: A History (Madison: Univsity of Wisconsin Press, 1949), 538.

  200. “. . . sport, manliness, and decency.”: Ibid., 540.

  200. including Michigan’s Yost, were grandfathered in: Carl D. Voltmer, A Brief History of the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives, with Special Consideration of Athletic Problems (thesis, Columbia University, 1935), 19.

  201. burned effigies of Turner and two other Wisconsin professors: Description of student protests in Madison from Ray Allen Billington, Frederick Jackson Turner: Historian, Scholar, Teacher (New York: Oxford Univsity Press, 1973), 273.

  201. “. . . I now tackle thee.”: Quotes in this paragraph from “Mr. Camp’s New Rules,” Yale Daily News, February 1, 1906, 1.

  201. “. . . at Harvard and elsewhere.”: “Football Differences,” New York Times, September 30, 1906.

  Chapter 18

  202. instruments in hand, lingered alongside: Descriptions of funeral from “Cadet Byrne’s Body Is Placed in Grave,” New York Times, November 3, 1909.

  203. to his final resting place: “Cadet Near Death from Football Hurt,” New York Times, October 31, 1909.

  203. to witness a game at West Point: “Injury to Cadet Stops Harvard Game,” New York Times, October 31, 1909.

  203. in the final ten minutes of play: Alexander M.Weyand, The Saga of American Football (New York: Macmillan, 1955), 93.

  203. Byrne didn’t move: Descriptions of the injury from “Cadet Near Death from Football Hurt,” New York Times, October 31, 1909.

  203. ten of them college players: John S. Watterson, “The Gridiron Crisis of 1905: Was It Really a Crisis?” Journal of Sport History (Summer 2000), 294.

  203. perished just a year earlier: Ibid.

  203. “. . . Foot Ball in popular favor.”: Weyand, 87.

  203. “. . . improved by the new rules.”: “Rational College Sports,” Harvard Graduates’ Magazine (March 1907), 385.

  204. “Overhead Projectile Spiral Pass.”: Weyand, 85.

  204. “a remarkable development of the forward pass.”: “Iowa Beats the Illini,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 10, 1907, C1.

  204. Northwestern’s newly reinstated team: “Illini Swamp the Purple,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 22, 1908, B3.

  204. days after Christian’s fatal injury: “Stop the Mass Plays,” New York Times, November 16, 1909.

  204. “. . . before the next boy is killed.”: Ibid.

  204. “. . . henceforth a doomed sport.”: Both quotes in this paragraph from “Sympathy at Harvard,” New York Times, November 1, 1909.

  205. “. . . pushing and pulling of the runner.”: John Sayle Watterson, College Football: History, Spectacle, Controversy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000), 121.

  205. “. . . individuals as well as for the game.”: Amos Alonzo Stagg to Walter Camp, November 20, 1909, Walter Chauncey Camp Papers, Yale University Archives, box 23, folder 651.

  205. open up the game dramatically: Weyand, 94. Potential impact of the new rules discussed in “Future of the Changed Football Rests with Coaches and Officials,” New York Times, September 18, 1910.

  205. refused to sign the new rules: Watterson, College Football, 128.

  206. facilitating the passing game: David M. Nelson, The Anatomy of a Game: Football, the Rules, and the Men Who Made the Game (Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1994), 158.

  206. hoping to secure a game: Frank P. Maggio, Notre Dame and the Game That Changed Football: How Jesse Harper Made the Forward Pass a Weapon and Knute Rockne a Legend (New York: Carroll & Graf, 2007), 83.

  206. shutout win over Tufts: “Army Escapes a Tie,” New York Times, October 26, 1913.

  206. “simply ran wild.”: “Thorpe’s Indians Crush West Point,” New York Times, November 10, 1912.

  206. $1,000 for its troubles: Maggio, 87.

  207. “. . . a bottle of iodine.”: Ibid., 104.

  207. “. . . probably thought we were crazy.”: Ibid., 100.

  207. “. . . the entire squad,” Harper recalled: Ibid., 101.

  207. the Chicago Tribune reported: “It Takes the Aftermath to Show How Sincere the Noise Really Is,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 1, 1913, 17.

  207. “. . . what it consists of.”: “Army Wants Big Score,” New York Times, November 1, 1913.

  207. between 25 and 40 yards: “Notre Dame’s Open Play Amazes Army,” New York Times, November 2, 1913; Maggio, 111.

  207. “. . . touchdown by rapid transit.”: Maggio, 111.

  208. “. . . of the Indiana collegians.”: “Notre Dame’s Open Play Amazes Army,” New York Times, November 2, 1913.

  208. “. . . a state of perfection.”: Ibid.

  208. declined to just one by 1912: John S. Watterson, “The Gridiron Crisis of 1905: Was It Really a Crisis? Journal of Sport History (Summer 2000), 294.

  208. the same three-year span: Watterson, College Football, 401.

  208. committee on casualties: Ibid., 136.

  208. gate receipts and glory: Robert M. Hutchins, “Gate Receipts and Glory,” Saturday Evening Post, December 3, 1938, 23.

  Epilogue

  209. “. . . Paul Bunyan that the game has produced.”: John Lardner, “Legends about O’Dea Pale Beside His Saga,” September 20, 1934, unknown newspaper, from the University of Notre Dame Archives, via the files of Michael D. Shutko.

  209.
back in front of the reverent masses: Tom Butler, “O’Dea Put the Foot into Badger Football,” Wisconsin State Journal, September 3, 1988, 2C.

  210. “. . . knew and loved years ago.”: Descriptions of scene in Madison from Morris H. Rubin, “Glory of Old Lives Again for O’Dea as Thousands Roar Welcome in Firelight,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 17, 1934, 1.

  210. “. . . years of study at Madison.”: “Sporting Facts and Fancies,” Kansas City Star, December 10, 1905.

  210. “. . . mercantile field for the Japanese.”: Ibid.

  210. “a failure as a coach.”: Newspaper clipping, unknown paper, September 15, 1908, from the files of Michael D. Shutko.

  210. showed up to court drunk: Wendy Bolz, “The ‘Kicking Kangaroo’ and the ‘Kangaroo Stroker,’ ” (unpublished family history), 10.

  210. law in California: “Roll of Attorneys Admitted to Practice in the Supreme Court of the State of California,” from the files of Michael D. Shutko.

  211. he held for one season: “Stanford Gossip,” Los Angeles Times, June 19, 1913, V23.

  211. “. . . than Miss Zwillinger.”: “How Society Girl Beat Boston Rival,” Los Angeles Times, May 13, 1913, 11.

  211. antecedent to Sunsweet: “O’Dea Is Fugitive,” San Jose Evening News, May 8, 1919.

  211. fled to Seattle: “Former Association Man Now a Fugitive,” San Jose Mercury News, May 8, 1919.

  211. “. . . where I will find rest.’ ”: “Athlete Faces Embezzlement Charge: Missing,” San Francisco Chronicle, May 6, 1919, 6.

  211. was all along: Bolz, 10.

  211. “. . . another name than their own.”: Correspondence, Dick Pershing to Tim Purdy, University of Wisconsin Archives, Pat O’Dea file.

  212. lumber-camp folk hero: Tim Purdy, Red River: The Early Years (Susanville, CA: Lahotan Images, 2011), 115–24.

  212. they were immediately fired: Message board post authored by Red River expert Tim Purdy: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NORCAL/1999-04/0924128460.

  213. “. . . at his lumber mill,” Bruhn recalled: “O’Dea Mystery Deepens,” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, April 9, 1962, 7.

  213. O’Dea told Bruhn: Ibid.

  213. member of the community: Correspondence, Dick Pershing to Tim Purdy, University of Wisconsin Archives, Pat O’Dea file.

  213. several other publications: Joseph H. Hunter, “Westwood Cal., Thrills to Find Hero in Midst,” Wisconsin State Journal, October 21, 1934, 2.

  213. “. . . O’Dea in California.”: Roy L. Foley, “Pat O’Dea Disclaims Playing Hero’s Role,” Wisconsin News, unknown date, 1934, chapter two of twelve-chapter O’Dea series.

  213. newspapers to which he subscribed: Information on phonograph from Correspondence, Dick Pershing to Tim Purdy, University of Wisconsin Archives, Pat O’Dea file. Information on newspaper subscriptions from Roy L. Foley, “Wisconsin’s Great Gridder Got Hoarse Talking of Exploits,” Wisconsin News, unknown date, 1934, chapter four of twelve-chapter O’Dea series.

  214. greatest kicker in football history: “Live Tips and Topics,” Boston Daily Globe, November 27, 1924, 17.

  214. “. . . an egg and spoon race.”: Frank Getty, “Coaches Want Accurate Kickers,” Atlanta Constitution, November 22, 1925, A3. In the original article, the word “shooting” appears as “shotting.” For purposes of clarity, I have changed the spelling.

  214. Isn’t Life Tough?: Al Demaree, “Hero One Day—Bum the Next—Isn’t Life Tough?” Washington Post, December 18, 1925, 19.

  214. “just flickered and died.”: Irwin M. Howe, “Hot Stove League,” Washington Post, January 15, 1926, 17.

  214. “. . . he is an unknown soldier.”: “Pat O’Dea, Rugby’s Gift to Football,” Literary Digest, March 17, 1934, 28.

  214. “. . . never been in the army!”: Correspondence, Dick Pershing to Tim Purdy, University of Wisconsin Archives, Pat O’Dea file.

  215. “. . . that did ensue.”: “From the Shadowland Where Great Deeds Sleep Walks a Gridiron Legend to Live Again,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 16, 1934, 1, photo caption. In the original piece, the word “furor” appears as “furore.” For purposes of clarity, I have changed the spelling.

  215. the scoop of his career: Bill Leiser, “O’Dea, Lost Grid Immortal, Comes to Life,” San Francisco Chronicle, September 19, 1934, 1.

  216. “. . . from followers of opposing teams.”: “Pat O’Dea, Gridiron Immortal, Alive in San Francisco, Newspaper Claims,” Wisconsin State Journal, September 19, 1934, 1.

  216. to verify the man’s identity: “Older Brother Does Not Think Pat O’Dea, of Grid Fame, Is Alive,” Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Northwestern, September 20, 1934, 15.

  216. to prove his identity: Harry L. Smith, “Chronicle Scribe’s Story Ends Earth Wide Search for ‘Superman’ O’Dea,” San Francisco Chronicle, September 20, 1934.

  217. “. . . would know the answers.”: Henry J. McCormick, “ ‘Mitchell’ Provides Definite Proof He Is Pat O’Dea,” Wisconsin State Journal Sports, September 21, 1934, 1.

  217. “. . . of that being Pat O’Dea.”: Ibid.

  217. “. . . hero of long ago.”: “The Story of Pat O’Dea,” New York Times, September 21, 1934.

  217. “it ought to be.”: Ibid.

  217. “. . . to carry through life.”: “Pat O’Dea—Star,” La Crosse (Wisconsin) Tribune and Leader-Press, September 27, 1934, 3.

  217. “. . . It began to annoy me.”: “O’Dea Tells Own Story of Why He Disappeared,” newspaper clipping, unknown paper, 1934, from the files of Michael D. Shutko.

  218. had any intent to deceive: “Pat O’Dea,” Kilmore (Victoria) Free Press, October 11, 1934, 4.

  218. “. . . was his famous opponent.”: “Incognito Hero Drops His Name to Dodge Public,” Nevada State Journal, November 15, 1934, 6.

  218. “recognized his writing instantly.”: Ibid.

  218. “. . . I do not want to interfere.”: “Brother Admits Pat’s Identity,” La Crosse (Wisconsin) Tribune and Leader-Press, November 14, 1934, 12.

  218. “. . . do the thing up right.”: Henry J. McCormick, “O’Dea to Return as Guest of U.W.,” Wisconsin State Journal Sports, September 23, 1934, 1.

  218. “. . . brings them in the dough.”: Joseph Coughlin, “Roundy Says,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 10, 1934.

  218. “. . . reaching a crescendo today.”: Betty Cass, “Madison Day by Day,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 16, 1934, 1, part 2.

  218. “. . . Pat O’Dea is coming.”: Ibid.

  218. “. . . gridiron heroes of all time.”: Allison Danzig, “On College Gridirons,” New York Times, November 13, 1934, 25; Fred Bailey, “Gala Welcome Awaiting Pat O’Dea at Wisconsin,” Los Angeles Times, November 14, 1934, A13.

  219. “. . . know it’s the one?”: “Pat O’Dea Criticizes the Huddle,” Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Northwestern, November 15, 1934, 16.

  219. “crowds gathered at railroad stations to cheer him” along the way: “Pat O’Dea Is Man of Hour As He Returns to Wisconsin,” Syracuse Herald, November 16, 1934, 29.

  219. gathered to welcome him: Sanford Jarrell, “Lost Dropkicker Ends Anonymity,” Baltimore Sun, November 23, 1934, 13.

  219. with the famous Aussie: Details on Crystal Ball Room celebration from “Fabulous Pat O’Dea Dies at 90,” (Madison) Capital Times, April 5, 1962, Sports 1.

  219. “. . . in Wisconsin and her achievements.”: Wallace Meyer, “Pat O’Dea’s Day in Chicago,” Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (December 1934), 100.

  219. “. . . glad he’s back when you see him.”: Monte McCormick, “Football Legend Pat O’Dea Dies,” Wisconsin State Journal, April 5, 1962, Section 3: 1, 3.

  219. “. . . broke into a pealing serenade.”: Morris H. Rubin, “Glory of Old Lives Again for O’Dea As Thousands Roar Welcome in Firelight,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 17, 1934, 1.

 
220. “. . . to glory and to victory.”: Ibid., 10.

  220. “. . . connected with the homecoming celebration.”: Ibid.

  220. “Auld Lang Syne.”: “Badger Gridders Play Great Game for Pat O’Dea,” Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Northwestern, November 17, 1934, 1.

  220. “. . . virtually every imaginable pose.”: Rubin H. Morris, “Patrick John O’Dea, Benched by Time, Sees Phantom Gridders March Again to Victory,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 18, 1934, 1.

  220. “Chief Four Leaf Clover.”: Paul Mickelson, “Badgers Score Homecoming Victory over Illinois,” La Crosse (Wisconsin) Tribune and Leader-Press, November 18, 1934, 11.

  220. “. . . no more than useless.”: Rubin H. Morris, “Patrick John O’Dea, Benched by Time, Sees Phantom Gridders March Again to Victory,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 18, 1934, 1.

  220. a 7–3 defeat: www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/research/1934-11-15_poll.cfm#.Uaj9Upw9-So.

  220. the season finale against Minnesota: Henry J. McCormick, “Badger Ticket Sales Force Gets Still Monday Drill,” Wisconsin State Journal Sports, November 20, 1934, 1.

  220. pass to a streaking receiver: Art Krenz, “Winning Plays of 1934,” La Crosse (Wisconsin) Tribune and Leader-Press, November 18, 1934, 11.

  220. boasted a capacity of 78,000: John Sayle Watterson, College Football: History, Spectacle, Controversy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000), 156.

  220. sign a professional contract: “738,555 Persons Have Seen Grange Make Football History,” New York Times, November 25, 1925.

  222. pocketed $30,000 in gate receipts: Richards Vidmer, “70,000 See Grange in Pro Debut Here,” New York Times, December 7, 1925.

  222. was pondering his football future: “Has Prospect of a Fortune,” New York Times, November 19, 1925.

  222. coach Columbia in 1925: Watterson, 150.

  222. subsidized their athletes in some form: Howard J. Savage, American College Athletics (Princeton, NJ: Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1929), 241–42.

  223. Rice was twelfth, Louisiana State thirteenth, and Southern Methodist fifteenth: www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/research/1934-11-15_poll.cfm#.Uaj9Upw9-So.